Smiley Corn Soup

Smiley corn soup, specially made for you.

When we know that God’s hand is in everything, we can leave everything in God’s hand. Have a Smiley Wednesday...

Smiley Caffé Macchiato

It is already midnight; I am calling it a day with this smiley.

Hope you will start your Tuesday with a smiley face. This is the caffé macchiato that I had at our company’s espresso bar. The waiter is so kind to bright up my day with this coffee art….

Korean's Feast

Last night, we were invited to a church's sister's place for Korean’s dinner.

She made some really delicious Korean beef and pork mixed dumplings (Mandu). It was nicely done and delicious...

Then we had this bulgogi beef . Beef marinated the Korean's way and sizzling grilled on the hot plate and eat with the lettuce leaf.

Cucumber kimchi

Shredded potato salad

The bean paste looks fiery hot in red but was actually rather mild for me....

Thank you for having us....

More of Sushi

Sometimes that’s what happens when we host dinner. We had sushi for brunch on Sunday because there were 2 extra sushi rolls in the fridge. We ate the California rolls and Johannes made some miso soup to warm up the stomach.

Sushi Party

How’s your weekend? We had a rather action packed weekend to celebrate the spring (change of daylight saving time), starting with a Japanese dinner for 6 at home on Saturday. We invited some friends over for dinner.

I made assorted sushi as stater and presented them in the 3-tier high tea plate. I made salmon and herring nigirizushi, Surimi and avocado futomaki, tuna salad Gunkanmaki, Daikon and cumcumber thin hosomaki, furikake rice balls.

Johannes made miso soup to go with the sushi and grilled miso salmon & grilled Teriyaki beef as main (sorry no photo). It was a great night with food and nice company. We also get to know each other better as we were eating and chatting away.

Photos:top - the 3 tier- sushi plate, right - the table setting and the guests eating in action.

A Tribute to my Dearest Mama…

A tribute to my dearest mama…

Today is the 15^th Anniversary of my mum’s death. My mum was called by the Lord on 28^th March 1994. I want to write this special entry dedicating to my dearest mum, who has sacrificed so much for us. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to know a lot of her account before my birth, a lot of these were told by my elder auntie who is now living in Hong Kong. With all these old photos that I took back with me, I manage to digitize, restore, correct the images and sort out a brief account of her life.

The Beginning

My Mum Anna Lo Siew Fah (罗秀华) born on 2^nd Sept 1933, at a town called Buso, Sarawak, Malaysia

The Age of Adolescent

Dad took these beautiful pictures of mum. I am not sure of the sequence if these are taken during their courtship or after they were married. However, these few portraits truly are the best moments of her life, woman who is in love, you can sense it from her posture, silhouette, movement and her expression. The signals of happy days were so strong. These were taken at Bintulu I believe.

Mum and her family, I still can vaguely recognize my 3^rd Uncle (front far right), youngest uncle who is now living in Hong Kong (front second right). My great grandma, (her name is 曹罗) stood next to my mama.

Another photo of mum with probably her family as well.

Her Golden Era

The Engagement - 10^th October1955

The Engagement with my dad took place on 10^th October1955. This is their engagement photo together with the newspaper engagement announcement cut behind the photo. We love each other and with the consensus from our parents, we would like to take each other as life partner, on 10^th October1955 we are engaged. Hope to keep our relatives and friends informed.

The Wedding – 3^rd October 1956

Mum and Dad got married on 3^rd October 1956 at Bau, the township where my grandpa was a high officer for the British government. The wedding was in the western style.

The portrait of my mum,graciously dressed in her wedding gown and looked a bit anxious in this photo. A great turning point for every lady as for this day on, you are two united in one. The wedding gown is very simple yet elegant, she really stood out on the tiled floor. I still think it is very fashionable wedding grown (ageless) these days considering the "retro" of the 50's is reviving.

The Wedding portrait of my beautiful mum and handsome dad. Wedding day is always the most beautiful day for a couple. My dad dressed in complete white suit matching my mum's wedding gown.

The wedding ceremony took place and the marriage certificate is finally signed in the presence of my eldest uncle (mum's side), my grandpa (dad's side), in front of the some western officers and witness.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I now proudly announce the newly wed Mr & Mrs. Chia Swee Hee

The Great Expectation

Then come the great expectation in 1957, she is expecting my eldest sister and these two shots clearly reflect the excitements and anxiety of a woman in her pregnancy. To me, these were the very beautiful candid shots that my dad had captured for those beautiful moments of their marriage life.

Behind this photo there are these Chinese handwriting of my father - “静思计算何时何日做妈妈” – silently counting when to become a mother… A very romantic and lovable statement.

Quietly thinking in deep thoughts, perhaps resting a bit during the early pregnancy months, her tummy is not really obvious though.

The Motherhood

My mum’s first portrait with her first born taken on 12^th October 1957. with my eldest sister. My sister was just about a month old (judging from the date of birth of my sister and the date this photo was taken). You can see from mum's expression on the joy of being a mother and a step into the motherhood for the years to come.

In this photo are mama and me, taken probably when I was around 2 to 3 years old. Mum in her fashionable nyonya dress, smiling happily while looking at me. (don't ask me why I got curly fringe, I am clueless)

A funny look family Portrait

My eldest brother, my dad, my eldest sister, mum

My 3^rd sister and me (almost unseen as I was the shortest then), I have no clue where is my 2^nd sister was then… and obviously my youngest brother was unborn.

This is another portrait with my grandma (杨十妹), the little one next to my grandma is ME, mum standing behind with contentment, at least her smile releases the she is happy then. Again if you notice carefully, mum's dress with batik print. There is this style in her that I like the most, dare to be different and non conformity to the fashion.

The Stormy Seasons

This photo is probably taken in our old shop house at Padugan, I live in this house briefly before we moved to Poh Kwong Park. I have no idea what occasion is this but obviously a feast around the table. I have chosen this photo because it started to reveal the drastic change of my mum, at least from the moment my memory tells about my mum. Something happen, my mum lost her contentment and decreased in her happiness since then I can always sensed the sadness behind every smiley face she put forth when a photo is taken.

Fast forward to the 90's where all of her kids either already married or grown up and into a color photo period.

This photo is taken on my birthday in 1991, I practically have to force them to sit down to take this photo with me in between. Neither of them were happy, as for me, my smile probably reflects the fact that I managed to take a photo with my parents which I never regretted to do so...

This photo is taken when I came back from Kuala Lumpur. I was already study in west Malaysia then. I think this is taken in 1992 around the time mum is suddenly diagnosed with cervical cancer but haven't undergone the chemotherapy yet.

The Last Days

The last family photo and family reunion on Chinese New Year 12^th February 1994. She is weak and skinny and lost her hair due to the treatment. Everyone who is supposed to be there was present. All of us knew her time was numbered and despite a family reunion and Chinese new year, sadness is hovering on us, at least for me.

The Departure

Shortly after that, mum's condition worsen and admitted to the hospital a couple of times. I was called back from Kuala Lumpur once as an alarm that she may be leaving us. It was heart breaking to see her suffers in her pain... She literally lives on morphine on the last stage of her life to relief from pain. I remembered that night I was in the hospital, she told me the "牛头马面" (ox-head, horse face - Chinese believes these creatures arrive to take people's life away) were there to take her with them, but she told them that she belongs to Christ and so those spectral apparatchiks left her. Then an angel figure appears to her but she was told that her time is not up yet. After she told me this, I asked her to release her forgiveness to all the people and incidents that had sour her life. I told her that the Lord wants her to return home in complete freedom without any unforgiveness and worry.

She departed on 28^th March 1994, I was then in KL but that morning I had a very bad dream and in the dream I struggled with dark-forces and fighting hard in my authority as the children of God, as if I am interceding for the last journey of my mum. Despite of the hard fight in the dream, I won the battle and the phone rang....

And I was told by my family... Mama has gone with the Lord....

The Ending Note

That day, while waiting for my flight to return home in the evening, I went to a movie to kill time, I watched Shadowlands with my roommate, an account of CS Lewis' life and the phrase "Death is swallowed up in Victory" and the definition of "glory" melt me completely in tears because I knew that was God trying to comfort me and assured me that He has taken her with Him.

And so 15 years later, my tears flow while I am composing this entry. Mama, I love you and I miss you! I will live my life in God's will, I have forgiven everyone that have caused you the hardship while you were alive. I will live my life to the fullest, so that you can be proud of me the day when I see you face to face in HEAVEN.

~~To GOD be the GLORY~~

Moment of Truth

I passed my Prince2 Foundation certification today. I scored 55 out of 75 . Now is the time to relax and enjoy my weekend...

US and A

Yes! Here I come again USA, this time in end of May and beginning June.

My HR Rep found a faculty role that I wanted since beginning of the year. Basically go to our training center in St. Charles, IL to teach. Most importantly besides teaching, I am also able to enjoy the BIG America as my annual trip. And YES, I got it and I will be there...

For now, I need to concentrate on my certification for tomorrow.... I have done my best, God will surely do the rest...

PRINT

Finally, the print that I ordered some weeks ago arrived. This is the side project that I am trying to work on as a tribute and memoir for our families. With the print finally here, I am able to finish it off... Watch out for more....

Stress Radar

Attended the PRINCE2 preparation class last night and was told about the online exam that one can do once a day but I didn’t realize about this site at all. Did the mock test last night and my score was not great. So I burned the midnight oil till 2am.

This morning I took another paper test, score is getting better (relief…) but still a lot to study and I am still working (from home) today.

I have been eating bread for 2 days (breakfast, lunch and dinner) due to after work classes. I tucked in rice for breakfast (rather brunch) this morning. I took some Japanese rice from yesterday and made some rice balls and also 2 pieces of grilled chicken from yesterday (I hope).

Lots of con-calls to deal with… but at last things get going for my project. Stress creeping in me again, I am going to calm myself down: One macaron, one chocolate bonbon and a cuppa Espresso (no time and mood to brew Matcha). They are seriously divine!! Now I am in mood to deal with my dearest PRINCE(2) again.

To end, I would like to share this with you

"God’s unseen presence comforts me,
I know He’s always near;
And when life’s storms besiege my soul,
He says, “My child, I’m here.” —D. De Haan

Het Zuid Experience

Instead of exploring the tourist spots of Antwerp, we opt for off the beaten track and head to area called 'Het Zuid'

. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and also museums to soak in.

We first had our lunch at a bistro called Canal nearby the Modern Art Museum. The place already very crowded when we arrived, there is a terrace section but all occupied so we settled for a window seat inside.

I decided to start my day in style with bubbles. They actually poured my cava in Moet & Chandon glass as if I have ordered a glass of champagne.

Johannes decided to feast on Tuna steak which comes in a really huge portion with a bed of tomato under the tuna itself and the side dishes of potatoes and salad. What a feast for lunch.

I am absolutely happy with just a simple Chicken Ciabatta as I want to save some space for tea later.

In Search for Macaron

Yesterday 20^th March 2009 is Jour du Macaron in France. In search for macaron, I have gone that far to Antwerp today, just because I know a salon de thé that sells macarons in Antwerp and that is the closest to us.

These are pretty petit creatures that are hard to resist. Every bite that melts in my mouth is a complete indulgence, so crisps, so light and so pretty.

Eating macaron actually makes me feel sexy and no wonder thousands of French women fall in love with macaron.

Tell you more about the trip to Antwerp tomorrow. Good night!

Stewed Chicken with Pamelo

I didn’t make the blog entry Perspective for fun but when I looked at the giant pamelo that mum bought for me, I just played with the perspective before I stripped the Pamelo off its skin.

I got this chicken tonic/soup recipe from a Chinese herbal remedy recipe book that I bought from my recent trip back home. It says pamelo is rich in vitamin C and other important nutrition that promote health. I have my doubt in cooking pamelo with chicken as I wonder if these are good combination but it turns out surprisingly well.

The pamelo meat/juice gives the sweetness to the soup but yet end with bitter after taste like any other fruit skin zest.